Russian President Vladimir Putin is searching for alternative ways to enforce his red lines and deter Western support for Ukraine, as repeated nuclear threats appear to be losing their effectiveness, according to The Washington Post.
This comes amid recurrent discussions to lift long-range weapons restrictions for Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the lifting of the ban as a crucial element of his victory plan that he intends to present to President Biden, Congress and two American presidential candidates.
An unnamed Russian official told the Post, “There has been an overflow of nuclear threats. There is already immunity to such statements, and they don’t frighten anyone.”
Since 2022 full-scale invasion, Russia has consistently issued warnings against the West providing advanced weaponry, such as F-16 fighter jets, tanks, and missiles to Ukraine, however, all of them were eventually delivered.
Analysts and officials close to senior Russian diplomats suggest that Putin is looking for more nuanced and limited responses to the West allowing Ukraine to use longer-range missiles against Russia.
A Russian academic with ties to senior diplomats stated, “There is an understanding that the red lines drawn by Moscow are being ignored by the West, and there should be weightier and more significant steps from Moscow to demonstrate the seriousness of its intentions.”
Possible alternative responses being considered include sabotage operations against military targets or other infrastructure in the West, where Russia’s involvement would be difficult to prove.
The use of proxy groups already in conflict with Western interests, such as the Houthi militia in Yemen, is also mentioned as a potential strategy.
One expert also mentioned the possibility of strikes on air bases in Poland and Romania where F-16s for Ukraine are stationed.
However, the nuclear rhetoric still serves a purpose, particularly in the context of the US presidential campaign. The Post notes that members of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign have amplified Moscow’s threats as a campaign issue.
Ultimately, the article suggests that Putin has not yet determined a clear replacement for the nuclear deterrence strategy.
Related:
- CNN: Zelenskyy says long-range weapons ban lift key part of his “Victory Plan”
- Zelenskyy’s office refutes Bild’s claims of partial ceasefire plan, reaffirms victory plan
- US, UK spy chiefs praise Ukraine’s Kursk incursion, say West shouldn’t fear Russia’s nuclear threats
- Putin’s nuclear threats proven hollow as Ukraine invades Russia, expert says
